In 2004, I started my mental health career at a group home which specialized to serve the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, working as a facility manager in Los Angeles, California. My role consisted of exclusively working with the Juvenile Justice Department to rehabilitate the youth who had sexual offense charges.
Throughout my career, I have developed a specialization in working with the LGBTQ+ community in various settings. This knowledge has unfolded through coursework while pursuing a bachelors in gender studies, working or interning at various LGBTQ+ organizations such The LGBT Center, learning LGBT+ history and over 15 years of working directly with the LGBT+ community.
In addition to working with the LGBTQ+ community, I have experience working with clients from diverse cultural, religious, and spiritual backgrounds. My background also includes working as a clinical social worker in various settings such as youth services based clinics in the Bronx, a satellite clinic at a middle school in Queens and a clinic that is a part of Jamaica Hospital in Queens. Working with clients who were living with severe trauma, severe mood disorders, and psychotic symptoms provided me with extensive experience with highly challenging mental health conditions, which has enhanced my clinical skills.
I have 10 years of practice in providing individual psychotherapy for children, teenagers and adults. My therapeutic approach integrates a combination of psychodynamic, trauma-focused, attachment, and mind-body therapies specifically tailored to each individual. While providing therapy, I also completed 3 years of postgraduate work in integrative trauma studies. I currently maintain a virtual practice from my home office.
Education
In 2013, I received my Masters of Science in Social Work from the Columbia University School of Social Work. My concentration at Columbia was Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice with a focus on Health, Mental Health and Disabilities.
In 2011, I received bachelors degrees in Psychology and Gender Studies from the University of Southern California. While pursuing the gender studies degree, the focus consisted of LGBTQ+ issues.
Certifications
- Integrated Trauma Training Program, three year post-graduate training, Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Parts 1 & 2